Life and History of Dominican President Jose Rafael Molina Urena

Life and History of Dominican President Jose Rafael Molina Urena

Jose Rafael Molina Urena was born on 31st January 1921 in San Francisco de Macoris in the Dominican Republic. He studied law at the University of Santo Domingo in 1941 to the doctorate level. He became a lawyer and later graduated from his postgraduate studies in social sciences and commercial sciences in Costa Rica and France. His political career began when he became the president of the Dominican Revolutionary Party (DRP). He later became the secretary general and president of the Party of Revolutionary Independence (PRI). During the reign of Juan Bosch Gavino in 1963, he became the president of the constituent congress. Juan Bosch was Jose’s relative.in addition to that, he was the president of the chamber of duties in the same year in order of presidential succession in the absence of the president, the vice president and the president of the senate.Later, there was an uprising on 24th April 1965 pressing for the return of the 1963 constitution and overthrowing the current president. The uprising was as a result of Bosch’s followers rebelling against the triumvirate government that was headed by Dr. Donald Reid Cabral. Juan had been the president for only seven months before being overthrown by the army that thought of him as a communist as did the US.

Jose Molina Urena accepted the seat of the presidency and was sworn provisional president during the period of constitutional revolt for three days as he tried to create an agreement that guaranteed the return of John Bosch to power. By then, the ex-presidents followers had taken control of the palace as Reids military failed to come to his rescue. President Reid was forced to step down. The military, however, did not want Bosch back in power. Moreover, Jose became the speaker of the House of Representatives. His position as the interim president was from April 25th to April 27th, 1965. He did this to avoid more bloodshed during the civil war. When the American military intervened and the pressure was increased by the San Isidro military insurgents, he decided to seek asylum in the embassy of Colombia. The congress of the republic replaced Jose Molina Urena with Colonel Francisco Alberto Caamano as president on May 3rd. Bosch returned from exile in Puerto Rico two days later and was waived to power.

During Joaquín Balaguer’s reign as president (1966-1971), Jose Molina Urena was the ambassador in France, Paris. Joaquín had an interrupted 12-year rule to 1978 characterized by repression. Between 1980 and 1981, Jose Molina Urena became the president of the Consultative council of Seguros (JUCOSE). He was given state pension in 1998 through a decision made by the National congress. He later died on 22nd May 2000 leaving behind written memoirs which were later published by Editorial letter graphics. To this date, Jose Molina Urena is acknowledged as the president who gave the highest public office to another person and took refuge.